Call for demos

[Ron Edwards]

Hey everyone,

It turns out that the next Leap Forward for Sorcerer relies on store demos. Or that's what I'm told, anyway.

So what I need are prep materials for the demos that already exist out there, like the obstetrical one that was run at GenCon (and that I never saw).

Given some e-mails I received lately, a bunch of people are already running "intro to Sorcerer" games and sessions out there. Some of them are even happening in stores. My hope is to document and encourage all of this, a LOT more.

I'm especially interested in knowing about in-store demos, so I can feature the stores and stories on the Sorcerer website.

Best,
Ron

P.S. Oh yeah! As Jim just did, let me know about any stores that carry Sorcerer and were nice about it, or promoted it in any way. I'm planning on e-mailing them to say thanks and see if demos can't be organized.

[ This Message was edited by: Ron Edwards on 2001-08-27 12:34 ]

[Jeffrey Straszheim]

On 2001-08-27 12:32, Ron Edwards wrote:
Hey everyone,

P.S. Oh yeah! As Jim just did, let me know about any stores that carry Sorcerer and were nice about it, or promoted it in any way. I'm planning on e-mailing them to say thanks and see if demos can't be organized.

I've checked at a couple of the stores around here (South
Florida) and they didn't have Sorcerer, although I didn't
ask about it at the counter (I'm ashamed to say).

It wouldn't be a bad idea to collect a list of stores that
are supporting the game.  If one around here was I'd love
to help out in some way.

P.S. Do you get a record of what stores ordered the game?

[Ron Edwards]

Hey,

I don't have a record of store copies at all, except for the few (mostly European) that bought copies direct from me at GenCon. What I have is a list of distributors or anyone who got their copies direct from Tundra, my warehouser.

So feedback from you guys is pretty much the only way I can get an idea about the stores. And I'm not interested in a nation-wide or world-wide insight into every store, just in the ones that have it, those who want it (due to people urging them), and especially those who are interested in doing demos.

Best,
Ron

[hardcoremoose]

Ron,

I'm pretty sure I could write up the obstetrical demo Paul, Tom, Mike and I ran at GenCon.  I'm not sure that any of the original material was saved, but it needed to be streamlined anyway.

I'm also fairly positive that at least one hobby store in the Ann Arbor area would be willing to carry (if they don't already) and demo Sorceror, and I'd be more than happy to work a demo or two with that store if I can free up the time in my schedule.  If I can get Paul or Tom or Matt to play ringer for me, life will be good.  :smile:

Take care,
Scott

P.S.  I wish I had had a chance to discuss the demos with you while we were at GenCon, but things were pretty hectic.  The session Mike played in was especially disturbing...    

Editorial Update:

I just got off the phone with one of the two decent game stores in Ann Arbor, and they do have copies of Sorceror in stock.  The manager said he'd love to have me run some demos for them, but asked that I hold off until September 24th (they're currently in the process of moving locations).  That gives me a month to prep the demo...

Here's the URL for The Underworld, in case anyone wants to check it out.  They aren't promoting Sorceror on their website, but the manager assured me that they had and he liked its "look".

http://www.underworldcomics.com/index0.htm

I'll call the other store sometime in the next few days and see what I can work out, but right now I'm off to play The Pool!

[ This Message was edited by: hardcoremoose on 2001-08-27 16:48 ]

[ This Message was edited by: hardcoremoose on 2001-08-28 22:05 ]

[Mike Holmes]

On 2001-08-27 15:55, hardcoremoose wrote:
P.S.  I wish I had had a chance to discuss the demos with you while we were at GenCon, but things were pretty hectic.  The session Mike played in was especially disturbing...    

Um, yeah. I'd like to second that statement. Disturbing doesn't even cover it. Vile, maybe. Yikes! even. And a lot of it was my fault. Ron's game made me do evil things! :wink:

But seriously , it might do to tone that scenario down some. Sure there are some who might really get into the intensity level that the demo provided, but for each of those there might be one who is really repulsed. Even if you just informed the GM to try and focus a bit more on the pshchological side of things, instead of the awful viscera (literally) that we encountered, that might go a long way.

Just trying to be a bit cautionary,

Mike Holmes

[Paul Czege]

...try and focus a bit more on the psychological side of things, instead of the awful viscera...

There waren't no viscera when I ran it! What the hell's wrong with you Scott?!?

[Ron Edwards]

Hey folks,

As implied by the above posts, store demos should not include content that gets the game banned.

I'm serious, though - already, retailers are asking for demos, and so I need them really fast. Email me what you've got, or remember, or came up with, or anything.

Best,
Ron

[Clinton R. Nixon]

Ron,

How would you feel about people using mini-supplements for demos? I'm reading Demon Cops right now (more comments later), and it seems like the sort of thing that would be great for demos - it's an easy concept to grasp, the issues of Humanity are a little more "viewer-friendly" than many Sorcerer games, and just about any player can jump into the role of a cop.

[unodiablo]

Hi Ron,
Pegasus Games is carrying Sorcerer in Madison. I asked about running demos, but they felt the game might be too "mature" for running in-store. (They said they prefer more "family-oriented" games.) Like D&D3E I guess. :razz: If Demon Cops is more anime-oriented, that might be a good way for me to go as well.
Sean

[Ron Edwards]

Clinton, Sean,

Demon Cops is a fine idea. You could even call the demons "OtherSiders" or "Wyrders" or anything else like that, as a kind of stealth tactic. In my opinion, the art is very engaging and would be a good attention-getter.

It also strikes me that a "demon" definition would be a good thing to include with each demo pack, e.g.
- conscious, powerful being
- source of power
- agenda of its own

And specify that this concept, and its dramatic potential, is found across all cultures.

Best,
Ron

[Ron Edwards]

OK, demos are starting to shape up.

Do I hear any volunteers for running a demo at:

1) Titan Games, Battle Creek, Michigan?
2) Endgame, Oakland, California?
3) Dream Wizards, Rockville, Maryland?

VERY IMPORTANT
Let me handle all negotiations with the store until I tell you to talk to them. Step 1 is squaring it with them, Step 2 is setting a date with you and them, and Step 3 is you meeting them (officially; never mind if you know them already).

The demo files should be ready by next Friday.

I need to hear from people about this reeeeal fast!

Best,
Ron

[Uncle Dark]

Ron-

I'd be happy to run the Oakland demo-- Never been to Endgame, it would be nice to see it.

Lon

[Molotov]

Howdy All,

On 2001-09-02 01:17, Uncle Dark wrote:
I'd be happy to run the Oakland demo-- Never been to Endgame, it would be nice to see it.

Endgame's fairly new - I think it's been open about two and a half months or so at this point.  Convenient spot - right on Lakeshore.  I picked up my copy of Sorcerer there earlier this week.

Lots of space to run games/demos.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for the announced demo date.  I usually GM, but it would be a treat to actually have a chance to play Sorcerer.

~ Brian

[Ron Edwards]

Yeah baby. That's Oakland. Await your emails, you two.

Rockville? Battle Creek?

Best,
Ron

[Supplanter]

Yeah baby. That's Oakland. Await your emails, you two.

Rockville?

I feel I could usefully assist someone at a Sorc demo - pulling his dice out of his pouch, holding his GM screen, fetching his drinks and, generally, "swelling the progress" - better than I could lead the demo myself. Contemporary demonic horror just doesn't float my boat enough for me to represent the game the way it deserves. I have a candidate in mind, but I also have (barely) enough politesse not to publically volunteer him. So I'll pursue it offline with him this week.

Now when HB &Sword comes out at the end of the year, I'll happily demo it all day. Sword & sorcery does float my boat - yea, into regions where one-armed softball ice weasels cower in fear at the very name Supplanter!

Best,


Jim